Khaberni - The United Nations urged Israel on Tuesday to immediately halt the expansion of settlements in the West Bank, exacerbating fears of "ethnic cleansing" with the displacement of more than 36,000 Palestinians in one year.
A report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights notes that "the displacement of more than 36,000 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank (over a 12-month period) represents an unprecedented forced displacement of Palestinians.. It appears to indicate an Israeli policy coordinated for mass forced transfer across the occupied land, with the objective of permanent displacement, raising concerns of ethnic cleansing".
The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, had condemned the killing of members of a Palestinian family, including children, by Israeli security forces in the occupied West Bank.
He called on Israel to fulfill its obligations under international law, emphasizing the need for security forces to exercise maximum restraint and not to use lethal force except when absolutely necessary to protect lives.
The UN spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, stated that these killings occur amidst a serious deterioration of the security situation in the occupied West Bank.
In his daily press conference, he said that "the nearly daily attacks by Israeli settlers have become more intense and brutal," resulting in deaths and injuries and significant damage to property, and in some cases, the displacement of entire communities. He stated that this violence is unacceptable and must stop.
Dujarric reiterated that the Secretary-General urges the Israeli government to take concrete measures to change this course. He added that the Israeli authorities bear the responsibility to protect the Palestinian population, ensure reliable investigations, and hold those responsible accountable.
